An anchor is a heavy metal device connected to a boat or a ship through a chain. Boaters (or ship controllers) use this anchor to make their boat (or ship) stay at one place. But using an anchor (dropping an anchor) requires proper knowledge and a special skill set. While you can master the skill with practice, here’s the right process you should follow.
Choose the Right Anchoring Spot
Similar to driving on the roads, you can’t simply apply brakes and stop your vehicle anywhere. You need to be careful not to block the traffic and cause any trouble before stopping. That’s what you need to consider while anchoring. The spot you choose should be away from regular sea traffic routes. Moreover, you need to find a place with enough shallowness for the anchor to touch the ground.
Lowering the Anchor
When talking about lowering the anchor, remember that you need to lower it and not drop it. To stop the ship (or boat), you should lower the anchor on the side (not throw) and then drop it till the bottom. After it touches the ground, you can start paying out the appropriate line amount.
Paying Out the Scope
The anchor holds more if more scope is let out. Ideally, for every foot of depth, a 4-5 feet scope is recommended. This increases to 7 for choppy waters and 10 for windy waters.
Securing and Setting the Anchor
After setting out the required scope, you can start securing the anchor by cleating the line off on a bow cleat. The anchor should be set once it is secured when windy. In calm waters, you can use the boat power for securing the anchor.
Australian boat builders build boats with anchors strong enough to bear different conditions.
